Circular base station antenna array and method of reconfiguring the radiation pattern

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a reconfigurable antenna system including a reconfigurable antenna capable of providing various types of radiation patterns without having to be replaced or needing its orientation changed. The reconfigurable antenna may create various types of quasi-omni directional radiation patterns of different shapes depending on the environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application filed under 35U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/668,037, filed Mar.25, 2015, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference as if set forth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present disclosure may relate to wirelesscommunications, and, more particularly, to base station antennaeradiation pattern control.

To provide increased coverage and throughput, additional base stations(e.g., small-cell base stations) are being deployed along withmacro-cell base stations, especially in urban areas. An antenna systemof a small-cell base station may be placed around a support structure,such as a pole and may operate as a circular array. Accordingly, thecircular array may operate as an array of antenna elements with phasecenters located on a circle, and may be used to form aquasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern in the azimuth plane.

Even though a quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern may be desirablefor many scenarios and environments, other types of radiation patterns,and even other shapes of quasi-omnidirectional radiation patterns may beadvantageous. For example, a quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern mayinitially be a good option for broad area coverage. However, such apattern may limit throughput if the number of users in a given area isincreased. In such a scenario, a different pattern of radiation may bemore desirable. However, such a change in shape and/or radiation patterntypically requires replacing the installed base station antenna and/orchanging its orientation. Such changes are costly and time consuming.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous if there was a reconfigurableantenna system including an antenna capable of providing various typesof radiation patterns without having to be replaced or needing itsorientation changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methodsfor reconfiguring a base station antenna to provide various types ofradiation patterns. In one aspect the reconfigurable base stationantenna system may include a base station antenna including at least oneantenna panel connected to a support structure. Each of the at least oneantenna panel includes at least two antenna columns. Each of the atleast two antenna columns includes at least one antenna element. Afeeder network may be coupled to the at least one antenna panel, and maybe configured to cause the base station antenna to form a firstquasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern.

In other aspects, the feeder network may be configured to change thefirst quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern to another radiationpattern different from the first quasi-omnidirectional radiationpattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the invention will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawingsembodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is an example environment of a cell site employing areconfigurable base station antenna system, according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of example radiation patterns realized by areconfigurable base station antenna system, according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a prior art base station cell site used to forma quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3B are plan views of a reconfigurable base station antenna,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4F are illustrations of example quasi-omnidirectional radiationpatterns realized by a reconfigurable base station antenna system usingdifferent offsets and phasing, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5C are illustrations of example radiation patterns realized bya reconfigurable base station antenna system with only two antennaelements (belonging to different antenna panels) energized, according toan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6C are illustrations of example radiation patterns realized bya reconfigurable base station antenna system with all antenna elementson each antenna panel energized, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of example radiation patterns realized by thereconfigurable base station antenna system in the form of a look uptable, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A-8D are schematic diagrams of various feeder networkconfigurations, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing that the feeder network may beseparate from the reconfigurable antenna, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram showing that the feeder network may beincorporated in the reconfigurable antenna, according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a method of reconfiguring a radiation pattern of a basestation antenna according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Unlessspecifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are notlimited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at leastone.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivativesthereof and words of similar import. It should also be understood thatthe terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” andlike terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristicof a component of the invention, indicate that the describeddimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and doesnot exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. Ata minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter wouldinclude variations that, using mathematical and industrial principlesaccepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematicerrors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the leastsignificant digit.

Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a reconfigurableantenna system including a reconfigurable antenna capable of providingvarious types of radiation patterns without having to be replaced orneeding its orientation changed. The radiation patterns are for thereception and/or transmission of RF signals. The reconfigurable antennamay create various quasi-omnidirectional radiation patterns of differentshapes and different types of radiation patterns (e.g., a sectorpattern, a peanut shaped pattern, a butterfly pattern, a cardioid, andthe like), depending on the environment. For example, the reconfigurableantenna may be able to create a quasi-omnidirectional radiation patternwith one or more shallow nulls, one or more deep nulls, and/or maxima atparticular positions. In other cases, it may be desirable to change thetype of radiation pattern to another radiation pattern with apredetermined null and/or maximum to potentially increase the throughputin the direction of a maximum and/or reduce interference in thedirection of the predetermined null. Further, adjusting the direction ofa null may mitigate any passive inter-modulation (PIM) issues if, forexample, a PIM source (e.g., a rusty object), is in the direction ofstrong radiation.

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a cell site according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure. The cell site 10 may include a reconfigurable basestation (e.g., small-cell) antenna 12 mounted on a support structure 14(e.g., a street light pole). A feeder network 16 may interface with oneor more base station transceivers 18, and may be used for changing aradiation pattern of the antenna 12. For example, the feeder network 16may process (e.g., commutate, combine, or the like) signals applied toports of the reconfigurable antenna 12. Alternatively, or additionally,the feeder network 16 may change a phase and/or amplitude of one or moreof the signals applied to one or more of the ports 20 of thereconfigurable antenna 12. By these techniques being facilitated, atleast in part, by the feeder network 16, the radiation pattern mayeffectively be altered without changing any components inside thereconfigurable antenna 12, or without changing an orientation of thereconfigurable antenna 12.

FIG. 1B illustrates some examples of radiation patterns that may berealized by the reconfigurable antenna 12 according to aspects of thedisclosure. Such radiation patterns include but are not limited to,multi-sector, peanut, sector, and omnidirectional radiation patterns.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a conventional antenna 22 comprised ofthree antenna panels 24, 26, 28 with one column of antenna elements 30,32, and 34 on each of the three panels 24, 26, 28. The conventionalantenna 22 may be mounted around a support structure (e.g., a pole) andmay be used for forming a quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern. Insuch a configuration, a direction of the maximum of radiation of each ofthe antenna elements 30, 32, 34 may coincide with the direction of linesa, b, and c connecting the pole center 0 and a phase center (e.g. apoint where a radiated field may originate) of each of the antennaelements 30, 32, 34.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a reconfigurable antenna 40 having a diameterspacing D, and comprising three antenna panels 42, 44, 46. Instead ofone column of antenna elements per panel, each antenna element columnmay be split into two or more antenna element columns. For example, onepanel may include antenna element columns 1 and 2, another panel 3 and4, and yet another panel 5 and 6. Hereafter the term “antenna elementcolumn” and “antenna element” may be used interchangeably. The antennaelements 1-6 may be offset from a middle point among the antennaelements 1-6. In other words, the antenna elements may be offset adistance from the lines a, b, c, (described in FIG. 2) respectively.Although only two columns of antenna elements per panel are shown, itshould be noted that each panel may include more than two columns ofantenna elements, in keeping with the spirit of the disclosure. Further,the reconfigurable antenna may include more than three panels in keepingwith the spirit of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of a configuration of a reconfigurable antennafor creating a quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern, according to anaspect of the disclosure. For creating such a radiation pattern, eitherantenna element set (1,3,5), or set (2,4,6) of the antenna elements 1-6of FIG. 3A may be energized. In FIG. 3B, the antenna element set (2,4,6)is illustrated, and for simplicity purposes, unenergized antennaelements are not shown. As shown, the antenna elements 2,4,6 may beoffset a distance s from the lines a, b, c, respectively, but thedirection of maximum radiation for antenna elements 2,4, and 6 may stillbe represented by lines a, b, and c respectively. In contrast to theconventional antenna of FIG. 2, the direction of the maximum ofradiation of antenna elements 1-6 does not coincide with the directionof lines connecting the pole center and the phase centers of the antennaelements 1-6, e.g. lines 48, 50, and 52.

Directions R, V, W represent bisecting directions between respectiveantenna panels. Based, at least in part, on the fact that amplitudes ofoverlapping beams (e.g., with axially symmetrical shapes) from some ofthe antenna elements 1- 6 may be nearly equal, deep unwanted nulls maypotentially appear in these directions R, V, W. For example, in thedirections R, V, W, the traveling length difference ΔL=√3·s. Applied tothe configuration of FIG. 3B, ΔL is the traveling length difference forantenna elements 4 and 6 in the direction R.

The corresponding phase difference caused by the offset s may berepresented by the following equation:Phase difference=√{square root over (3)}·2π·s/λDepending only on s/λ, deep nulls may appear in directions R, V, W, evenat relatively small values of antenna diameter spacing (e.g., D/λ).Table 1 below shows several example cases of offset values andcorresponding phase differences in the directions R, V, and W.

TABLE 1 Phase s/λ Difference $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{12} \simeq 0.144$  90°$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{9} \simeq 0.192$ 120° 0.25 156°$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{6} \simeq 0.289$ 180° $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} \simeq 0.433$270° $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} \simeq 0.577$ 360°

As shown above, commonly used half-wavelength spacing s/λ=0.25 ofantenna elements may result in a phase difference of 156 degrees. Such aphase difference may result in deep nulls in the directions R, V, and W,in the case of the in-phase feed, and may result in −13.6 dB null depth.

The above-discussed unwanted nulls may be eliminated by applying feedsignals of particular phases, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4F are examples of quasi-omnidirectional radiation patternsthat may be realized by the reconfigurable antenna, through theapplication of certain feed vectors and various values of s/λ, with D/λ,=1. As used herein, a feed vector may represent a set of complex valuesrepresenting one or more amplitudes and phases of one or more feedsignals of a particular antenna element. More specifically, thenumerator may represent a normalized amplitude (on a linear scale), andthe denominator may represent a phase in degrees. For example, the feedvector {1/180, 1/90, 1/0, 0/0, 0/0, 0/0} may represent the followingfeed signals of the antenna elements: 1^(st) antenna element:amplitude=1, phase=180°; 2^(nd) antenna element: amplitude=1, phase=90°;3^(rd) antenna element: amplitude=1, phase=0; and the respectiveamplitudes and phases of the 4^(th), 5^(th), and 6^(th) antenna elementsare zero. As shown, some of the patterns have shallow nulls, and othershave deep nulls.

FIG. 4A is a radiation pattern using an in-phase feed vector {0/0, 1/0,0/0, 1/0, 0/0, 1/0}, and

$\frac{s}{\lambda} = {\frac{\sqrt{3}}{6}.}$As reflected in Table 1 above, such a spacing results in a 180 degreephase difference and deep nulls.

To compensate for such nulls in two of the directions, for example, aphase of one of the feed signals, e.g., antenna element 4, may beinverted, which results in the feed vector {0/0, 1/0, 0/0, 1/180, 0/0,1/0}, being applied. Consequently, as shown in the radiation pattern ofFIG. 4B, only one deep and narrow null exists, which may be used, forexample, to mitigate a passive intermodulation (PIM) issue or to aid ineliminating interference in a particular direction.

FIG. 4C is a radiation pattern for which nulls have been, at leastpartly, compensated in all directions. For such a radiation pattern, theantenna may be fed with the feed vector {0/0, 1/0, 0/0, 1/120, 0/0,1/240} with the spacing

$\frac{s}{\lambda} = {\frac{\sqrt{3}}{9}.}$

Radiation patterns realized by the reconfigurable antenna may also beaffected by the sign of the phase of the feeding signals. For example,when the even-numbered antenna elements are energized (e.g., 2, 4, 6),inverting the sign in the feed vector applied with respect to FIG. 4C,(e.g., {0/0, 1/0, 0/0, 1/−120, 0/0, 1/−240}) may result in formation ofnulls near directions R, V, and W, as shown in the radiation pattern ofFIG. 4D. Interestingly enough, when the odd numbered antenna elementsare energized (e.g., 1, 3, 5), similar feed vector {1/0, 0/0, 1/−120,0/0, 1/−240, 0/0} may provide a radiation pattern without nulls, similarto that shown in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E illustrates a radiation pattern with maxima in R, V, and Wdirections, and shallow nulls when using the in-phase feed {0/0, 1/0,0/0, 1/0, 0/0, 1/0} at

${\frac{s}{\lambda} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}},$which corresponds to a phase difference of 360 degrees.

Quasi-omnidirectional patterns with shallow nulls may even be formed incases when other than even or odd numbered sets of antenna elements areenergized. Such a radiation pattern is shown in FIG. 4F, in which casethe feed vector {0/0, 1/0, 1/0, 0/0, 0/0, 1/90} with the elements 2,3,and 6 energized, at s/λ=√{square root over (3)}/4 (corresponding to a270 degree phase difference).

Even though quasi-omnidirectional radiation patterns, such as thevarious types discussed above with respect to FIGS. 4A-4F, may beconsidered advantageous in many environments, other types of radiationpatterns may also be desirable in certain other environments. Examplesof other types of radiation patterns potentially realized by thereconfigurable antenna are shown in FIGS. 5A-5C and FIGS. 6A-6C.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, the reconfigurable antenna may radiatepatterns with only two antenna elements (belonging to different panels)energized. For example, the radiation patterns realized in FIGS. 5A-5Cwere realized with only antenna elements 1 and 4 energized. As shown inFIG. 5B, a broad radiation pattern with a single null and a singlemaximum may be formed with the in-phase feed vector and equal amplitudesof antenna elements 1 and 4, with the solid line in FIG. 5A representingthe individual pattern created by antenna element 1, and the dotted linerepresenting the individual pattern created by antenna element 4.

FIG. 5C illustrates a radiation pattern having dual null-maxima, whichmay be formed with an out-of-phase feed vector. Alternatively, FIG. 5Bis an illustration of a radiation pattern that may be realized with theantenna elements 1 and 4 in phase. It should be noted that the directionof the null may be changed if another pair of antenna elements isenergized, for example, 3 and 6, or 2 and 5.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, other radiation patternsmay be realized by energizing all the antenna elements, and for example,using signals of equal amplitudes. FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exampleradiation patterns of such configurations. More specifically, FIG. 6Amay be realized using a feed vector {1/0, 1/0, 1/0, 1/0, 1/0, 1/0} witha spacing s/λ=0.25; FIG. 6B may be realized using a feed vector {1/0,1/180, 1/0, 1/180, 1/0, 1/180} with a spacing s/λ=0.25; and FIG. 6C maybe realized using a feed vector {1/0, 1/0, 1/0, 1/180, 1/180, 1/180}also with a spacing s/λ=0.25.

As discussed above, phase differences and radiation patterns may depend,at least in part, on the value D/λ and spacing s/λ. As such, assumingthat D/λ and spacing s/λ are known, a desired radiation pattern of acircular array of the reconfigurable antenna may be determined for eachspecific feed vector. For example, through various simulation tools(e.g., Matlab™), a large number of radiation patterns may be simulatedby varying the groups of energized antenna elements with varied phasesand/or amplitudes of the feed signals of the feed vector. Through thesesimulations, a large number of radiation patterns may be plotted andstored. Those patterns deemed particularly useful may be selected,categorized, and organized in a lookup table along with theircorresponding feed vectors. FIG. 7 is an example listing of radiationpatterns which may form part of such a lookup table.

Also, as shown in one of the radiation patterns, a corresponding networkschematic and feed vector used to realize the radiation pattern isshown. For the sake of simplicity, only one of the radiation patterns isdisplaying its corresponding network and feed vector. It should be notedthat, in the actual look up table, more or all of the remainingradiation patterns may also display corresponding network details andfeed vectors.

To create the above-discussed radiation patterns, the feeder network,(e.g., such as the feeder network 16 in FIG. 1A), may be employed. Morespecifically, the feeder network may include a switching network torealize the feed vectors listed in the look up table. The feeder networkmay apply transceiver signals, such as from the transceiver ports of thetransceivers, to ports of the reconfigurable antenna. It should be notedthat, while this description is provided in the context of applyingsignals from the transceivers to the reconfigurable antenna,corresponding operations may be applied to signals received by thereconfigurable antenna and the be applied to inputs of the transceivers.The feeder network may selectively apply transceiver signals to some ofports of the reconfigurable antenna in order to create a specificradiation pattern. For forming another radiation pattern, the feedernetwork may switch the paths of the transceiver signals and apply thetransceiver signals to other ports. In this way the transceiver signalsmay be applied to all antenna ports or only to some of them. The feedernetwork may also control amplitudes and phases of the transceiversignals applied to the reconfigurable antenna ports. For example, thetransceiver signals may flow though switchable paths comprising, forexample, one or more power splitters, hybrids (e.g., 90 degree and 180degree hybrids), and phase shifting circuits such as cables withaccurately defined lengths. In some aspects, the feeder network may alsoprocess signals by reconnecting cables, which may be done manually orelectronically, for example, through the use of RF switches and controlsoftware. FIGS. 8A-8D are examples of schematic diagrams coupled to oneor more antenna elements 1-6 of each panel 42, 44, 46 of thereconfigurable antenna. In FIGS. 8A-8D, “L” may be used to represent oneset of antenna elements (e.g., the even antenna elements 2,4,), while“R” may be used to represent another set of antenna elements (e.g., theodd antenna elements 1,3,5). The feeder networks 16 may be used torealize one or more of the above discussed radiation patterns. It alsoshould be noted that feeder networks providing a single fixed radiationpattern may be a part of a larger feeder network 16 providing multiplereconfigurable radiation patterns.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the feeder network 16 may employ a 3-way in-phasepower splitter 80 and three equal-length cables 82, with each of thethree equal-length cables 82 coupled to one of the antenna elements 1-6,to energize the antenna elements 2,4, and 6. Such a network may be usedto realize the radiation pattern described in connection with FIG. 4Aabove.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the feeder network 16 may include a 3-way in-phasepower splitter 80 and three cables 84 of unequal length. Such cables 84of unequal length may effect a 120 degree phase difference betweenneighboring panels 42, 44, 46. In other words, such varying cablelengths may be responsible for providing the feed vector {0/0, 1/0, 0,0,1/120, 0/0, 1/240} or the feed vector {1/0, 0/0, 1/120, 0/0, 1/240,0/0}. Optionally, the 120° progressive phase difference between signalsmay be obtained using a 3-way Butler matrix, as discussed, for example,in U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,317, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. The network 16 may be used to generate theradiation pattern described in connection with FIG. 4C.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the feeder network 16 may include a 3-way in-phasepower splitter 80 coupled to three 2-way in-phase power splitters 86. Asshown, each of the connecting cables may be of equal length. Each of thecables output from the three 2-way power splitters may be coupled toeach antenna element 1-6 of each panel 42, 44, 46 to energize allantenna elements (e.g., 1-6) of the reconfigurable antenna. Such anetwork 16 may be used to provide radiation patterns with three narrowbeams as described in connection with FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the feeder network 16 may include a 3-way in-phasepower splitter 80 coupled to three 2-way out-of-phase power splitters88. As shown, each of the connecting cables may be of equal length. Eachof the cables output from three 2-way out-of-phase power splitters 88may be coupled to a respective antenna element 1-6 of a respective panel42, 44, 46 to energize all antenna elements (e.g., 1-6) of thereconfigurable antenna. Such a network 16 may be used to provideradiation patterns with six narrow beams as described in connection withFIG. 6B.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, changing a configurationof the radiation pattern may be done by reconnecting one or moredifferent antenna ports to an RF signal or by changing a phase and/oramplitude of one or more signals arriving at the one or more of theantenna ports. Reconnections may be performed manually. For example, atechnician or operation at the cell site may physically change one ormore hardware connections using individual components, such as powersplitters, 90-degree hybrids, 180-degree hybrids, and cables withspecified phases (e.g., FIG. 8D). A minimal set of components sufficientfor forming any of the desired patterns from a look up table mayconstitute the feeder network 16 when employing manual reconnections.

According to other aspects of the present disclosure, reconnections maybe performed electronically with RF switches commutating the signals'traveling paths. With electronically performed reconnections,components, such as power splitters, hybrids, and phase shiftingcircuits, may be printed on a printed circuit board.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, according to aspects of the presentdisclosure, the feeder network 16 may be realized as a standalone unitseparate from the reconfigurable antenna itself. For example, thestandalone feeder network may comprise the above discussed RF switches,power splitters, 90-degree and/or 180 degree hybrids, and/or phaseshifting circuits.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, according to other aspects of the presentdisclosure, the feeder network may be incorporated into reconfigurableantenna itself. For example, one or more components (e.g., RF switches,power splitters, 90-degree and/or 180 degree hybrids, and/or phaseshifting circuits) may be incorporated as a part of each of the antennapanels 42, 44, 46 of the reconfigurable antenna. In such a case, adesired built-in configuration of the radiation pattern may beimplemented in a factory during assembly by using the look up table anda set of standard parts. As such, the need to design a new antenna foreach new desired radiation pattern is avoided. It should be noted thatthe components shown in each antenna panel 42, 44, 46 of FIG. 9B isshown by way of non-limiting example only. Additional components may beincluded in each antenna panel in still keeping with the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method 1000 for reconfiguring aradiation pattern of a base station antenna. At Block 1001, one or moretransceivers may be coupled to at least one of at least two antennacolumns of at least one antenna panel of the base station antenna. AtBlock 1003, base station antenna may form a first quasi-omnidirectionalradiation pattern. At Block 1005, the first quasi-omnidirectionalradiation pattern may be reconfigured.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativeblocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronichardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearlyillustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, variousillustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have beendescribed above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present invention.

The various illustrative blocks described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A generalpurpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, theprocessor may be any conventional processor, controller,microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implementedas a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP anda microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

Various embodiments of the invention have now been discussed in detail;however, the invention should not be understood as being limited tothese embodiments. It should also be appreciated that variousmodifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may bemade within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A reconfigurable base station antenna systemcomprising: a base station antenna including a plurality of antennapanels connected to a support structure, wherein each of the antennapanels include at least one antenna column, wherein each of the at leastone antenna column includes at least one antenna element; and a feedernetwork coupled to at least one of the at least one antenna column ofeach of the antenna panels, wherein the feeder network is configurableto cause the base station antenna to form a quasi-omnidirectionalradiation pattern, and is further configurable to switch from thequasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern to a different radiation patternthat is formed using less than all of the antenna columns, wherein thefeeder network is configurable to switch from the quasi-omnidirectionalradiation pattern to the different radiation pattern by changing a phaseand/or amplitude of signals applied to the base station antenna, andwherein the quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern is formed by aplurality of energized antenna elements, each of the plurality ofenergized antenna elements being located on a different antenna panel ofthe plurality of antenna panels.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thebase station antenna includes more than two antenna panels.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the feeder network includes a switchingnetwork.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the signals flow throughswitchable paths.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the switchable pathscomprise at least one power splitter, at least one hybrid, and at leastone phase shifting circuit.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thedifferent radiation pattern is in a shape of a sector pattern, apeanut-shaped pattern, a butterfly pattern, or a cardioid.
 7. The systemof claim 1, wherein the different radiation pattern is formed by twoenergized antenna elements, each of the two antenna elements beinglocated on a different antenna panel of the plurality of antenna panels.8. A reconfigurable base station antenna system comprising: a basestation antenna including a plurality of antenna panels connected to asupport structure, wherein each of the antenna panels include at leastone antenna column, wherein each of the at least one antenna columnincludes at least one antenna element; and a feeder network coupled toat least one of the at least one antenna columns of each of the antennapanels, the feeder network being configured to cause the base stationantenna to form a first quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern using afirst subset of the antenna columns that comprises less than all of theantenna columns, wherein the feeder network is configurable to switchfrom the first quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern to a differentradiation pattern by changing a phase end/or amplitude of signalsapplied to the base station antenna, wherein the signals flow throughswitchable paths, and wherein the switchable paths comprise at least onepower splitter, at least one hybrid, and at least one phase shiftingcircuit.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the feeder network isreconfigurable to feed a second subset of the antenna columns that isdifferent than the first subset of antenna columns to configure the basestation antenna to change from the first quasi-omnidirectional radiationpattern to another radiation pattern.
 10. The system of claim 9, whereinthe feeder network is configured to change the firstquasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern to another radiation patterndifferent from the first quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern. 11.The system of claim 9, wherein the another radiation pattern is a secondquasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern.
 12. The system of claim 9,wherein the another radiation pattern is not a quasi-omnidirectionalradiation pattern.
 13. The system of the claim 9, wherein the feedernetwork is configured to change the first quasi-omnidirectionalradiation pattern to another radiation pattern by changing an amplitudeof one or more signals applied to the base station antenna.
 14. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the feeder network is configured to changethe first quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern to another radiationpattern by changing a phase of one or more of the signals applied to thebase station antenna.
 15. The system of claim 8, wherein the at leastone antenna element of the at least one antenna column is at a positionon the antenna panel that is offset by a first distance from a directionof a maximum of radiation of the at least one antenna element.
 16. Amethod for reconfiguring a radiation pattern of a base station antenna,the base station antenna including a plurality of antenna panels, eachantenna panel having at least one antenna column, each of the at leastone antenna column comprising at least one antenna element, the methodcomprising: coupling a transceiver to at least one antenna column ofeach antenna panel of the base station antenna; configuring a feedernetwork coupled between the transceiver and the base station, antenna toform a first quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern at the base stationantenna; and thereafter reconfiguring the feeder network to change thefirst quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern to a second radiationpattern that is different than the first quasi-omnidirectional radiationpattern by changing at least one characteristic of one or more signalsapplied to the base station antenna, wherein the firstquasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern is formed by a plurality ofenergized antenna elements, each of the plurality of energized antennaelements being located on a different antenna panel of the plurality ofantenna panels.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the reconfiguringcomprises changing an amplitude of the one or more signals applied tothe base station antenna.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein thereconfiguring comprises changing a phase of the one or more signalsapplied to the base station antenna.
 19. The method of claim 16, whereinthe one or more signals applied to the base station antenna flow throughswitchable paths.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the switchablepaths comprise at least one power splitter, at least one hybrid, and atleast one phase shilling circuit.